Without a doubt, Jason Kelce was the highlight of the Eagles Super Bowl parade on Thursday. Watch as he takes a Philadelphia police officer’s patrol bike for a quick spin.
Submitted video by Brian Jones of Bucks County

PATCO Hi-Speedline runs smoothly in carrying more than 70,000 Eagles fans from Camden County, N.J., to the Philadelphia parade celebrating the team's first Super Bowl victory in defeating the New England Patriots 41-33
Carol Comegno/Videographer

The Ben Franklin Bridge is lit green in support of the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 ahead of their Saturday afternoon playoff tilt against the Atlanta Falcons in Philadelphia.
Produced by Joe Lamberti/Staff Photographer

“We have waited so long, but our dream has finally come true,” the team’s announcer, Merrill Reese, declared as the ceremony got underway on the museum’s iconic steps.

“I don’t think words can really describe what is going on here today,” said Nick Foles, the backup quarterback who earned MVP honors at the Super Bowl.

“We finally did it. We’re Super Bowl champions,” he said to enthusiastic screams.

No official estimate was released for the parade after the Phillies won the World Series in 2008, but crowd assessment experts have said that likely didn’t exceed 750,000.

Some South Jersey residents began the trek to the parade route well before dawn, with Eagles fans reportedly arriving at PATCO Hi-Speedline stations as early as 3 a.m.

Long lines built at the stations as PATCO carried more than 70,000 passengers into Center City. Other fans created their own parade, marching across the Ben Franklin Bridge walkway from Camden to Center City.

Imani Golphin of Camden, who arrived in the city at 7 a.m. with her brother David, wore three pairs of socks and multiple layers of clothing to cope with the 30-degree weather. She stood next to Keisha Bishop of Sicklerville, wrapped in a fur-lined parka and a blanket.

A large crowd gathers near the corner of 15th Street and John F. Kennedy Blvd. prior to the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LII victory parade in Philadelphia on Thursday morning.
Chris LaChall/Staff Photographer

An Eagles fan holds a Super Bowl shirt from a school bus window as it travels down John F. Kennedy Blvd. near 15th Street prior to the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LII victory parade in Philadelphia on Thursday morning.
Chris LaChall/Staff Photographer

Green-and-white buses carried the Eagles slowly on a pilgrimage route up Broad Street and out the Ben Franklin Parkway to the museum. The players were led by several dozen officers on bicycles and a smaller number on motorcycles.

Adding to the spectacle: Trucks pumped out clouds of confetti along the route, while skywriting planes etched, "Philly Philly Dilly Dilly" on the blue sky.

Several South Jersey school districts closed for the celebration, including Camden, Oaklyn, Washington Township and Willingboro.

The Glassboro district dedicated its holiday to Corey Clement, a borough native and rookie running back for the Eagles. It noted the Glassboro High School graduate had “contributed immensely throughout the season and on multiple scoring drives in the Eagles (Super Bowl) win.”

In brief speeches outside the museum, players said the Eagles' close bonds had helped them overcome a series of potentially devastating injuries.

"In the end, we all believed in each other and that's why we're Super Bowl champions," said Jason Peters, an offensive tackle whose season was cut short by a knee injury.

Jason Kelce, the team's center, delighted the crowd with a profane, podium-pounding rant aimed at those who disparaged the team and its fans.

"This entire organization, we're a bunch of underdogs," thundered Kelce, who wore a multi-colored Mummer's costume and rose above the crowd like a glittering genie.

"No analyst liked this team to win the Super Bowl, and nobody likes our fans," he added, before answering critics with a blunt expletive and a song with the refrain: "No one likes us. We don't care."

CLOSE

Without a doubt, Jason Kelce was the highlight of the Eagles Super Bowl parade on Thursday. Watch as he takes a Philadelphia police officer’s patrol bike for a quick spin.
Submitted video by Brian Jones of Bucks County

But quarterback Carson Wentz, also recovering from an injury, suggested a fan base known for its boo-birds might soon have a more positive outlook.

"You make it a joy and a pleasure to play for you," he told the crowd. "I hope you all can get used to this."